'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini analysis

I wouldn't really call this an essay, more of just the starts of an analysis based on a question given to be by my AS level English Literature teacher. Just the first two paragraphs here, will obviously be writing more. Just looking for opinions on how I could improve. At the moment, I am predicted a B at AS level. And I acheived an A grade at GCSE in Literature. Comments welcomed.

Submitted: November 04, 2012

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Submitted: November 04, 2012

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Write an analysis of the language that the writer uses to make the kite competitions seem exciting

In Chapter Seven, we are first introduced to the kite competition itself that Amir and Hassan are taking part in. Although the idea of the kites has not been heavily emphasised
throughout the first few chapters-excluding chapter one-we still get the feeling that they are of some importance. Not only has the author named the book ‘The Kite Runner’, which points out obvious
significance, but the context of Chapter One reflects heavily on the past, specifically Hassan, who is described as the “hare lipped kite runner”. This suggests that the character Hassan, plays a
big part in the concept of the kites. Not only that, but in Chapter One, the writer uses personification to describe the kites: “They danced high above the trees…floating side by side like a pair
of eyes looking down on San Francisco”. This stresses that the kites are not only a physical factor in the past of this characters life, but is also a mental factor within him. It makes the idea of
the kites, and in the further chapters of the book-Chapter Seven-seem vastly more exciting, as the reader has built up curiosity of how the kites relate to the characters lives. So when the kite
competition does come around, it becomes a momentous time for the reader, as they are finally going to be given that information. The language that the writer has used, enables him to plant that
seed of curiosity into the readers mind right from the start, which is finally blossomed in Chapter 7.

When describing the kites, the writer uses emotive language, and continues to personify them. The start of the event itself is prolonged, to create tension within the chapter,
and to highlight to the reader, that this event is key in the plot of the book. Also that it means a lot to the characters, which although have different reasons to want to win this competition,
its importance is still imposed. For example, the kites are being personified when Amir first sees them in the sky; “At least two dozen kites already hung in the sky, like paper sharks roaming for
prey”. This is not only enforcing the idea that this competition is going to be extreme in the sense that it will be hard to win, but also that there are no boundaries, no rules. The idea that the
kites are represented as “sharks roaming for prey”, suggests that there is a significance of danger to this event, and that the participants are all motivated to win, as if the concept of winning
the competition, is just as alluring as a shark to the smell of blood from its prey. The fact that Amir and Hassan are both young boys, emphasises the thrill and excitement of competition and
glory. So effectively, the writer could not only be referring to the kites themselves as sharks, but to the ones that fly them as the hungered creatures, driven by want and need.